Course Open: March 11, 2020-April 4, 2020
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Wednesdays, March 18 and 25, 2020; 9:00-10:30pm ET (USA)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate course will focus on reptilian blood cell identification and include sampling and collection. Participants must have basic knowledge of blood slide preparation (does not need to be reptile knowledge) and be familiar with reading blood smears.
VSPN CE Course: “This program has been approved for 3 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval."(22-39425) Course Description:
This course is designed to help the veterinary technician understand the basics of reptilian hematology. Topics covered include sample collection locations from snake, lizard, and chelonian species and how to perform smear and stain techniques. Students will also learn the basics of performing manual erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, and differential evaluation. This course will focus on reptilian blood cell identification and students are encouraged to bring their own images of reptilian blood cells to post on the message boards for discussion and/or identification. Common hemoparasites seen in various species of reptiles will also be covered briefly; abnormal blood cells will be briefly covered. Week 1 (Real Time Session March 18): Sample Collection, Preparation, Staining, and Blood Cell Counting
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
- Identify the different locations for blood collection in reptiles.
- Discuss why certain anticoagulants are preferred over others in reptile species.
- Describe and explain the smear and stain techniques needed for successful blood cell identification.
- Describe and discuss the various manual erythrocyte and leukocyte counting techniques.
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
- Identify the various blood cells and be able to perform a differential evaluation.
- Discuss hemoparasites seen in reptile patients.
- Describe abnormal cells associated with certain disease processes.
To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate. Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.
Required Textbook: There is no required textbook for this course. About the Presenters:
Jenni Jenkins-Perez has years of experience with various reptile species ranging from anoles to Nile crocodiles in both zoo/aquarium practice and private practice. Currently, she is a part-time veterinary technician for a small animal and wildlife veterinary practice and a part-time adjunct faculty instructor for a veterinary assisting program in central Florida. She is currently vice-president of the Veterinary Laboratory Association and is past president of that organization.
Michelle LaBelle-Lake has devoted her career to wildlife rehabilitation and working in facilities that provide services to exotics and wildlife as well as small animals. Most of her career was working at a veterinary emergency and referral center. She took her emergency and critical care training and wildlife rehabilitation training and founded the Wildlife Intensive and Critical Care Unit (WICCU). A not for profit organization that functions like a mobile emergency/rescue unit for wildlife. Michelle enjoys working in the lab, especially with exotic/wildlife species. Total CE Credit: 3
Tuition: $63 ($57 early bird special if enrolled by February 26, 2020)
* Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status).
Prices are listed in US dollars. *To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on March 18, 2020 at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached. *For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center. To Enroll:
- Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member and non-member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
- Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
- Each person is individually responsible for his/her own registration. To ensure that all information received is secure and correct, please do not enroll for a course on behalf of another individual.
- For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email VSPNCE. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
VSPN CE Coordinator VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 797
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357